The Wedding

O marriage-bells, your clamor tells

Two weddings in one breath.

SHE marries whom her love compels:

— And I wed Goodman Death!

My brain is blank, my tears are red;

Listen, O God: —  "I will," he said: —

And I would that I were dead.

Come groomsman Grief and bridesmaid Pain

Come and stand with a ghastly twain.

My Bridegroom Death is come o'er the meres

To wed a bride with bloody tears.

Ring, ring, O bells, full merrily:

Life-bells to her, death-bells to me:

O Death, I am true wife to thee!